Scottsdale Civic Center Mixed Use

A derelict Scottsdale restaurant recently highlighted among the worst East Valley’s eyesores may be razed to make room for a mixed use retail/residential project, if a developer’s plans are approved by the city.

Once home to savory paellas and the raucous clack of flamenco dancers, Pepin restaurant has been closed since early last year. Since then, it has fallen into disrepair, leaving a blight on the western edge of the Scottsdale Civic Park in between the popular AZ88 and Jewel of the Crown restaurants.

“In replacing an eyesore of a vacant, run down restaurant with a new vibrant multi-use structure, the new space will also offer more options for retail destination, office destination, and additional residential opportunities,” according to the project narrative submitted to the city the developer, The Clayton Companies.

The developer wants to build a four-story, 17.4KSF mixed use project, which will include 11KSF of non-residential space and three residential units. The ground floor will accommodate retail uses, with office space on the second floor and three penthouse residences on the third and fourth floors.

Ground-level garages will provide parking for residents of the three units. The project may take advantage of the 66’ height maximum for the area, but the upper floors will step back to mitigate the building’s impact on its neighbors.

The developer has engaged Aline Architecture for the design. No GC or timeline were identified.

The Scottsdale Planning Commission on April 13 advanced the project to City Council, unanimously recommending they approve it. The application has not been scheduled for council consideration.